Mobile scaffolding brake

Abstract

A mobile scaffolding ( 10 ) for elevating a worker (not shown) above a floor or ground surface (S) is disclosed. The scaffolding ( 10 ) broadly includes a pair of frames ( 12 ) and ( 14 ), a platform ( 16 ) supported by the frames ( 12,14 ), a pair of casters ( 18, 20 ) and ( 22, 24 ) rollably supporting a respective one of the frames ( 12,14 ), and a brake assembly ( 26, 28, 30, and 32 ) associated with a corresponding one of the casters ( 18,20,22,24 ), respectively. The inventive brake assemblies ( 26,28,30,32 ) enable the worker supported on the platform ( 16 ) to selectively activate and deactivate the respective brake assemblies ( 26,28,30,32 ) from the platform ( 16 ). This enables the worker supported on the platform ( 16 ) to deactivate the brake assemblies ( 26,28,30,32 ), reposition the scaffolding ( 10 ), and then reactivate the brake assemblies ( 26,28,30,32 ) without requiring the worker to dismount from the platform ( 16 ).

1 . A mobile scaffolding for elevating a worker above the ground, said scaffolding comprising: 
 a frame;    a plurality of wheels supporting the frame for rolling movement on the ground;    a platform supported on the frame and being operable to support the worker above the ground,    said platform being spaced above the ground; and    a brake assembly configured to selectively prevent rolling movement of the frame, said brake assembly including an actuator that causes the brake assembly to prevent rolling movement of the frame when the actuator is engaged and permit rolling movement of the frame when the actuator is disengaged,    at least a portion of said actuator being positioned above the platform to enable the worker to control engagement and disengagement of the actuator from the platform when supported thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said frame being vertically elongated between a first end and a second end,    said at least a portion of said actuator being vertically positioned between the platform and the second end of the frame.    
   
   
       3 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said actuator including a handle pivotal relative to the frame.    
   
   
       4 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 said frame being vertically elongated between a first end and a second end,    said handle being positioned adjacent the second end of the frame.    
   
   
       5 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 3 , 
 said brake assembly further including an elongated plunger slidable relative to the frame and presenting a proximate end adjacent the handle and a distal end adjacent one of said plurality of wheels.    
   
   
       6 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 5 , 
 said handle being coupled to the proximate end of the plunger so that pivoting of the handle causes the plunger to slide relative to the frame.    
   
   
       7 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 6 , 
 said brake assembly including a brake pad,    said brake pad being coupled to the distal end of the plunger so that sliding of the plunger relative to the frame causes the pad to shift into and out of a braking position, wherein said brake pad engages the ground.    
   
   
       8 . The scaffolding as claimed in  claim 1 , 
 said brake assembly including a brake pad,    said brake pad including a generally flat disc that engages the ground when the brake pad is in a braking position, wherein said brake pad engages the ground.    
   
   
       9 . A method of braking a mobile scaffolding, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) moving the scaffolding into a working position;    (b) occupying the platform; and    (c) activating a brake to prevent movement of the scaffolding,    step (c) including the step of engaging an actuator of the brake from the platform so as to activate the brake, wherein at least a portion of the actuator is positioned above the platform.    
   
   
       10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 step (c) including the step of manually operating a handle, comprising said at least a portion of the actuator, to control engagement of the actuator.    
   
   
       11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , 
 step (c) including the step of pivoting the handle to engage and disengage the actuator.    
   
   
       12 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 step (c) being performed after step (b).    
   
   
       13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12;  and 
 (d) deactivating the brake, repositioning the scaffolding, and reactivating the brake once the scaffolding is repositioned,    step (d) being performed after step (c) and while the platform is occupied.    
   
   
       14 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , 
 step (c) including the step of shifting a brake pad into engagement with the ground when the actuator is engaged.